Closure



Jan. 23, 1945. c. MAcKlNTosH cLosuREs Filed March 29, 1944 5- Sheets-Sheet 2 .CHARLES Nncmmosn Elm/ww Jan 23, 1945 c. MAcKlN-rosH 2,367,881

cLosUREs Filed March 29, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 CHARLES Nmxmfos Jan. 23, 1945 c. MAcKlNTosH CLOSURES Filed March 29, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 www .M w

' Jan. 23, 1945. MACKMOSH l 2,367,881

CLOSURES Filed Marh 29, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ffmfk" ff] S S Patented Jan. 23, 1945 UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE cLosURE charles-Mackintosh, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 29, 1944, Serial No. 528,598

(ci. 16o- 34) 24 Claims.

This invention relates to closures and more particularly to collapsible closures adapted for use in connection with large openings such as doorways for aircraft hangers, garages, factories, mills, assembly plants, shops, or other building structures.

The provision of closures for the large openings of this type of structure, which may be readily moved to and from effective closing position and yet be suiiciently strong to withstand wind loads, has presented a difficult problem. Prior proposals looking toward a satisfactory solution have generally involved one or the other of two types of door constructions.

The first type includes a rolling door resting on rails and adapted to be moved bodily to the side of the opening. Such devices have not been entirely satisfactory, being attended by numerous disadvantages not the least of which is the waste of space necessary to accommodate this type of door when it is in opened position.

The door of the second general type now in use is supported by truss structures extending across the building above the opening. These doors requireA extensive and costly superstructures with adequate clearances and sturdy enough to withstand the force of the wind blowing against the closure structure when the door is in completely closed position. Under these conditions the door acts as a beam to the top of the structure, and the entire surface of the door being solid, the total pressure of the wind against it is very great and the door and bracing structure must be correspondingly strong to resist this pressure. A few attempts have been made to provide vertically moving doors which are adapted to be received in a recess in the ground but these have also been solid doors subject to wind pressure and the problems of providing a strongly braced cantilever door structure arises.

By means of the present invention, however, these difficulties have been obviated and many advantages of construction, operation, and utility have been attained. In its preferred embodiments the invention contemplates the provision 0l a novel closure system including a multiplicity of parallel interchangeable panels supported during opening and closing movement in horizontal positions so that wind resistance is reduced to a minimum. The panels are preferably supported at their ends upon vertical columns which may be retracted into the ground and projected therefrom during opening and closing movement. The panels themselves, however, are adapted to be automatically disconnected from the columns one by one as the latter are retracted, and to stack themselves in a relatively shallow trench provided at the threshold of the opening, and then to be re-attached to thev columns as they rise to closing position. When the closure has risen nearly to its fully closed position, the upper ends of the column are guided into engagement with the overhead structure in such a way that the columns are in true vertical position and the door, even under full wind load throughout its area, is provided with adequate lateral support by the structure at the top of the columns.

When thus secured the several panels may be swung or rotated about a horizontal axis to vertical positions, whereby the horizontal side edges of adjacent panels come together to form a solid closure. One of the features of the invention is the provision of novel locking supports adapted to successively seize the superposed panels when the structure rises, and then rotate them to closed position when desired. The uppermost panel forms a floor at the threshold when the closure structure is collapsed, and the bottom panel of any set is preferably non-rotatable and forms a floor when the structure is raised to closed position. The floor panel may act as a girder keeping the tops of the columns in line.

The novel mutually interlocking devices on the columns and on the individual panels are so constructed and arranged that the weight of the superposed panels retains the parts carried by the panel ends in retracted positions substantially within the lateral confines of the panels, but as soon as the panel next above is lifted by the rising columns one or more connecting elements are projected from the panel ends into operative relationship with the cooperating receiving elements. on the rising columns, and when a given panel is lifted from contact with the one next below, additional devices are projected toward the column carried mechanism to lock the panel securely thereto.

The closure provided by the present invention is adaptable to any size and shape of opening; a plurality of columns may be used which divide the groups of panels into sections or bays. In fact, the larger the opening'to be controlled the more economical the present closure will be as compared with other existing types.

Other objects and features of novelty, including operating devices and anti-frictionalguiding means, will be apparent from the following speci-r cation when read in connectionnwith the-accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of one end of an aircraft hangar showing a closure installation embodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial view of the retractible closure showing the panels themselves in open position and illustrating one means of raising the closure;

Figure 3, 4, and 5 are transverse vertical sectional views through the closure and threshold trench illustrating the manner of successively raising the panels from the trench to vertically spaced positions by the supporting columns;

Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detailed views in vertical section adjacent the bottom of the trench showing alternative arrangements for raising the supporting columns of the closure;

Figure 10 is an exploded view in perspective showing a guide bracket for the closure columns or posts;

Figure 11 is a view in horizontal section of one of the end columns of the closure and the edge of the door opening;

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view through one of the locking supports carried by the columns between the adjacent ends of the panels of adjoining sections of the closure; the view being taken substantially on line I2-I2 of Figure 13;

Figure 13 is a detailed view in elevation of the locking panel support on one side of a column;

Figure 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line I4-I4 of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view of one span of panels between two columns showing a portion of the locking and supporting mechanism and the cooperating actuating mechanism carried by the ends of the panels;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of one of the panels showing the projectible bolt and pin arrangement;

Figure 17 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the bolt mechanism, as taken on line Il--II of Figure 19;

Figure 18 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line I8-I8 of Figure 19;

Figure 19 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line III-I9 of Figures 17 or 18;

Figure 20 is a similar view taken on line 2li-20 of Figure 17; and

Figure 21 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper end of a column showing a modification of the panel lock actuating mechanism for automatic separation at the end of the vertical travel of the closure.

In Figure 1 the building structure embodying the principles of the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral III, and may be an aircraft hangar or a similar large sized building. The building may have a trussed roof structure II supported upon the flat roofed wings I2 at either side of the building. The front wall of the roof structure is indicated at I3 and it will be seen that it spans the door opening I4 which is of extremely great width. say upwards of two hundred feet.

The closure system which exemplifies the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral I5 and in the illustrated embodiment comprises a plurality of sections or bays I6 defined by the series of vertical columns I1, each of the sections I6 being comprised by a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally disposed elongated interchangeable panel elements 20. In Figure 1 the closure is shown in closed position with the columns I'I projected upwardly from the ground to contact with the lintel formed by the lower edge of the front wall I3 of the roof structure. To open the closure I5 the columns are lowered into the ground until the upper ends thereof are either flush with the ground level or disposed beneath the same. During this retracting movement of the columns, the successive panels 20 of the sections are stripped therefrom and stacked one upon the other within a relatively shaliow trench provided beneath the threshold of the door opening I4 as will be fully explained and described in connection with succeeding figures of the drawings.

Referring now to Figure 2 it will be seen that the columns I'I are preferably of I-section and are adapted to be received in the tubular casings 22 which provide sockets or recesses for the reception and guidance of the columns. These members 22 may be made of metal or concrete piping or other suitable material. As clearly shown in Figures 2 to 9, inclusive, the upper ends of the column receiving socket members 22 open into a trench 24 which may be walled with concrete to form a box-like structure 25. The bottom wall of the box 25 is provided around each of the members 22 with a low wall 26 which provides means for preventing water from draining into the sockets 22; however, in case moisture does collect in the bottoms of the socket members 22 any sort of pumping means such as that suggested diagrammatically at 21 may be employed to drain the water therefrom. At intervals along the trench 24 there may be disposed transverse bars or racks 28 which serve to support the panels 20 when the closure is in open or retracted position.

In Figure 3, the columns I1 have been withdrawn completely into the socket members 22 and all of the panels are stacked up in the trench, the uppermost panel 20B providing a sill or flooring element adapted to support the weight of man or vehicles passing through the opening or doorway. In Figure 4 of the drawings the columns I'I have been projected toward closed position, the uppermost panel 20B and several of the intermediate panels 20 having been engaged at the proper spaced intervals and raised from the pile, In Figure 5 the closure structure is shown raised to its fully closed position wherein the upper end of the columns Il are received within the tapered sockets 29 in the superstructure I3. The lowermost panel 20A of the series which is spaced from the next higher panel 20 by a distance which is approximately one-half of the normal spacing between the panels. is disposed iiush with the ground level and provides a cover for the trench 24. From the horizontal positions of the panels shown in Figure 5 they may be swung or rotated around a horizontal central axis somewhat in the manner of the familiar Venetian blind constructions so that the door or closure is completely closed against weather. The closed position oi' the panels is indicated by broken lines in the upper portion of Figure 5.

Mechanism for raising the columns I5 and thus moving the closure system to closed position may be selected from a wide variety of known lifting devices, but certain Apreferred forms devised in connection with the present invention are illustrated in Figures'2, 6, 7, 8land 3 'of the drawings. In Figure 2 there is provided a drum or reel 3f! edges of the ilanges 11A of the columns I1 arerotatably mounted transversely of the trench 24 at the end thereof and adapted to be driven by means of the electric motor 3| through transmis-v sion means including a sprocket 32 mounted on the end of the motor shaft which is operatively connected by means of the drive chain 34 with a sprocket 33 carried by the reel. A plurality of cables 35 are wound upon sections of the reel or drum and each cable is trained along the bottom of the trench and over suitable guides or pulleys and has its end secured to or operatively connected with the lower ends of the respective columns Il. For example, in Figure 6 a cable A passes over the pulley 36 rotatably mounted adjacent the wall 26 of the box 25, and the end of the cable 35A is secured as at 38 t0 the lower end of the column. In Figure 7, the cable 35B passes around a similar stationary pulley 36 and then around a pulley 39 rotatably carried by the end of the column Il, and then secured as at 40 to a stationary point adjacent the upper end of the well or socket member 22. In either embodiment, it will be readily seen that when the cables are wound up upon the drum 30, the columns ll will be raised and conversely when the drum 30 is allowed to unwind, the columns l'l will be lowered and the panels deposited in the trench.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, one or more of the flanges of the column Il may be provided with rack teeth, or a separately formed rack member may be secured to the column in any suitable fashion. Such a rack is indicated at G2 and a drive pinion 43 is mounted in suitable bearings fixed adjacent the bottom of the trench and near the top of the well 26. The drive pinion 43 is operatively connected with a suitable source of power by any desired type of transmission gearing.

In Figure 9 of the drawings, a fluid pressure device is shown by means of which the columns il may be raised. Each of the well or socket structures 22 is made air or liquid tight depending upon the fluid medium employed. The lower ends of each of the columns Il are provided with piston portions i5 which fit within the bores of the members 22. Conduits 136 communicate with the lower ends of the members 22 and lead to a valve arrangement which is capable of alternatively connecting the conduits with a suitable source of fluid pressure or venting the conduits to relieve the pressure.

At suitable points along the path of travel of the columns. I'l, anti-friction guiding shoes or brackets may be disposed; for example, within the wall 26 or along the height of the well or socket member 22. Such a guiding arrangement is shown in Figure 10 of the drawings. The guide shoe is designated generally by the reference numeral and comprises fundamentally the channel piece 5l which is adapted to receive a flange HA of one of the columns I1. The channel element 5l is braced by means of a vertical plate 52 which may be welded thereto centrally of its outer face and the two short horizontally extending channel sections 53, the edges of the flanges of which are also welded to the outer face of the channel 5l. The inner faces of the flanges 55 of the channel 5I and also of the web 56 of this element are grooved to receive the porous metal bearing strips and 6I. The strips 6D and 6I are impregnated with a suitable lubricant which is fed thereto through the ducts 63 drilled through the channel 5I and closed at the upper ends by means of the plugs 64. The vertical Cil adapted to slide against the lubricated inserts 60 carried by the ilanges 55 of the guide member. and a vertical strip 65 is secured centrally of the flange 11A so as to slide upon the bearing insert 6| provided on the web of the guide member. The runner strip 65 is preferably made of a rust resisting metal.

The columns l1 at the ends of the closure system adjacent the front walls 61 of the wing sections l2 of the building may be guided throughout their length by the wall edges or jambs as the columns rise. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 11 of the drawings where the anges HA and the web I1B of one of the end columns embraces the projecting edge or Jamb portion 68 oi' the wall 6l. Weather strips 69 may be provided to seal the slot between the column iiange and the wall of the building.

The means for releasably and rotatably connecting the panel ends with the adjacent columns will now be described with particular reference to Figures 12 t0 15, inclusive.` At intervals where the panel attaching means occur, the web ITB of each column isperforated as at 'l0 and upon each face of the web I'lB adjacent the opening 10 there are secured, as by welding, the tubular members 1I. Within the outwardly projecting open ends of the members 1| there are disposed the bushings 12 and within these bushings is receivedthe bolt 15. Rotatably mounted upon each end of the bolt 15 and retained in position thereon by means of the nuts 16 are the receptacles 'l1 which are adapted to engage cooperating elements on the ends of the panels 20 when they are to be raised. Each of the receptacle members 11 are provided with inner recesses 18 to receive the nuts 16 applied to th'e bolt ends, and an outer U-shaped notch or socket portion 8U, between which a space BI is provided, which space is provided with a bottom opening extending al1 the way through the member 11. This latter feature enables any moisture which might collect within the sockets of the mem-ber l1 to drain ofi. The upper portions of the members 'l1 are provided with bevelled faces 83 for a purpose which will be presently described. Similarly the lower outer portions of the elements 'l1 are bevelled as at 84.

Extending diagonally upwardly and downwardly from the member 11, as clearly shown in Figure 13 of the drawings, are the ears 85, these cars preferably extending at angles of 45 degrees from the vertical. The ends of the ears are pivotally connected as by means of the bolts 86 with the pair of elongated vertically disposed actuating rods or strips 90. These actuating rods extend from one end to the other of the posts or columns I'l and are adapted to be operated by suitable mechanism not shown, in order to rotate the receptacles TI through angles of 90 degrees counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 13. In other words, the left-hand actuating rods or strips 90 in this gure are in their uppermost position. The outwardly directed faces of the element 11 are provided with a pair of sockets 92.

Each end of the panels 20 is provided with projectible and rectractible elements which cooperate with the receptacles 1l carried by the columns. These arrangements are best shown in Figures l2 and 16. Substantially self-contained assemblies or inserts designated generally by the numeral |00 are set in kerfs provided in the ends of the panel members, these insert structures being secured rigidly in place by means of the bolts |0| which pass through the front plates |02 of the assemblies. Arranged for projection outwardly from the end of the panels at a central point are the headed elements |05, which elements are flanked by a pair of separately projectible and retractible pins |06 the ends'of which are preferably tapered to a point. When the panels are joined to the columns and the closure is raised toward closed position the headed projecting element |05 has its shank portion received in the trough-like portion 80 of the element 11 as clearly shown in Figure 12, the head of the element |05 occupying the interrnediate space 8|. The laterally disposed projecting pins |06 are adapted to enter the holes 9,2 upon either side of the element 11 and prevent relative rotation of the panel and the element 11. Thus the panels 20 may be rotated from open to closed position when the receptacle elements 11 are turned by means of the rods or strips 90. The arrangement is such that the main supporting projecting elements |05 on each side of a tier of panels are successively thrust outwardly into position to be engaged by the respective receptacles 11 carried by the adjacent rising columns when the weight of the panel next above is lifted from the panel thereunder. Then the receptacle 11 engages the elements |05 and raises the panel from the one next below. As soon as the weight of the panel being lifted is removed from the one next below the locking projections |06 are thrust outwardly to engage the openings 02 in the redeptacles 11. The means providing for this successive projection of the interlocking panel carrying elements will now be described.

The inserts or assemblies which are set within the ends of the panels comprise the end plates |02 and ||0 which plates may be supplemented by the additional thinner plates as shown in Figures 17 and 18. The intermediate body portion of the insert is comprised by an undulating or crenelated sheet metal structure ||2 bent to form two laterally disposed loop or bight portions ||4 and a central bight portion ||5. The main panel lifting projection 05 is received within the central space within the bight portion ||5 and is guided through openings in the front and rear plates |02 and ||0. The side bolts or pins |06 are similarly guided in open- Vings in these front and rear plates and occupy the spaces formed by the laterally disposed bights ||4 of the metal structure ||2. Upper and lower transversely disposed rods ||8 and IIS are passed through openings formed in the four vertical side walls of the respective compartments of theA frame structure ||2. The upper bar or rod ||8 serves as a pintle or pivot pin for a sheet metal toggle member |20, the opposite end of which is pivotally connected with the projectible bolt |05 as by means of the pin |2I. The toggle member |20 is composed of two hinged inverted trough-like elements |23 and |24, the side walls or flanges of which are perforated to receive the respective pivot pins or rods |8 and l2 and the Webs of which are pivotally secured together as by means oill the strap |26, this strap being riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the webs |23 and |24 as at |21. The limiting position of the toggle |20 when contracted is determined by the abutment of the wall flanges |22 of the parts |23 and |24 as at |23, all as clearly shown in Figure 17 of the drawings. In this broken position oi the toggle the bolt or projecting element |05 is in its extended position for engagement with the column supported receptacle 11. The bolt |05 is urged toward its projected position by means of the coil spring |30 one end of which is secured upon the cross rod IIS and the opposite end secured to the rearward portion of the projectible bolt |05 as by means of the cotter |32.

Each of the laterally disposed locking pins |06 is adapted to be projected and retracted by similarly constructed toggle devices |35. One of these devices is shown in longitudinal direction in Figure 18 and it will be seen that element |36 has its side flanges perforated to receive the cross rod I9 and the rear half |31 of the toggle has its side walls straddling and pivotally connected with one of the pins |06 by means of the pivot pin |38. The side walls of the box-like toggle elements |36 and |31 abut as at |39 when the toggle is contracted and the pins |06 are projected under the influence of the coil springs |40 which extend between the rods ||8 and the cotters |4| which secure them to the rearward portions of the pins |06.

It will be readily understood that when any selected panel 20 rests upon the next lower one the toggles |35 controlling the locking pins |08 are extended longitudinally so that they completely enter the box-like spaces within the bights of the frame structure ||2 and thus the pins 06 are retracted. Similarly when an upper panel rests upon the selected panel the weight of the superposed panel forces the toggle |20 into the space within the central bight of the frame ||2 of the insert |00 and thus retracts the main supporting pin |05. In this way the columns I1 and their panel supporting mechanism may pass freely upand down along the ends of the panels without disturbing the interlocking elements. However, the upper and lower bevelled portions 33 and 84 provided on the faces of the brackets 11 will serve to wedge the projecting panel carried elements aside if they inadvertently extend too far toward the columns.

If desired, the uppermost panel 20B of the series may be provided with fixed projecting elements which arealso in position to be received by the uppermost receptacle 11. Then when the adjacent columns |1 have been' raised suillciently to lift this panel from the one next below the toggle member |20 on the top of the latter panel will rise funder the influence of its spring |30 and I the lifting bolt |05 of the panel next below will be projected as in the case of the second panel from the top shown in Figure 15. Then the rising receptacle 11 will engage the pin |06 and begin to raise the panel under consideration. As soon as this panel has been lifted a sutlicient distance above the panel next below it, the pair of toggle members |35 controlling the locking pins |06 will be permitted to project beyond the bottom face of the panel and the locking pins |06 will be thrust outwardly to engage the openings 02 of the receptacles 11, thus securely locking the panels to the lifting mechanism carried by the colums. At the same time that the panel is lifted clear from the one below it so that its locking pins |06 are projected, the lifting bolt |05 of the panel next below will also be projected in readiness to be received by the next succeeding receptacle 11. It will be noted that the upper and lower toggles |20 and |35 are staggered, so there will be no interference when the panels are stacked.

, Eventually through these successive operations all of the panels will be raised and the upper ends of the columns I'I will be seated in the sockets 29 provided in the overhead structure I3, the lowermost panel 20A providing a oor or sill to cover the empty trench. In the the reverse operation in opening the closure structure, as the columns I1 are lowered into the recesses 22, the sucessive panels 20 will be stripped from the columns' within the trench. When a panel is deposited upon the next lower one, the lifting bolts I05 of the lower one will be retracted by the actuation of its toggle |20, while at the same time upward pressure on the toggles |35 of the panel being lowered will be actuated to retract the pins |06 from the holes 92 and permit the bracket 'l1 to descend from the bolt |05 of the instant panel (the socket 80 in which bolt |05 rests opening upwardly).

Cover plates may be provided as indicated at II3 to keep snow or dirt out of the lnteriorof the assemblies I at the portions which are not occupied by the toggles |20.

Then if it is desired to close the panels to prevent access of weather to the interior of the building, the vertical rods or strips 90 are moved in their respective directions as indicated by the arrows in Figure 13, thus rotating the supporting carriers or receptables 11 and thereby swinging the panels to closed position whereby they are aligned in a vertical plane as suggested in Figure of the drawings. In order to still provide access of light to the building any desired number of the panels 20 may be made of transparent material.

In Figure 21 of the drawings, there is shown one means of automatically rotating the Panels to closed position as the upper ends of the columns are fitted into the overhead structure. One or more of the vertical actuating strips 90 on one side of the devices 'I1 are extended above the upper end of the column I1 so that as the upper end of the column moves into abutment with the superstructure I3, the rods or strips 90 will be moved downwardly by contact with an abutment surface on the structure I3 and thlus automatically rotate the panels to closed position as the upper ends of the columns are moved home. 'I'his is an optional feature of the invention which may be employed in certain constructions if desired.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like, which comprises, in combination, a plurality of displaceable vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of Said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of sections, and a vertical tier of horizontally elongated but relatively narrow panels in each of said sections, each panel being individualy supported at its ends by adjacent columns.

2. A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like, which comprises, in combination, a plurality of displaceable vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said openings into a horizontally aligned series of sections, and a vertical tier of panels in each of said sections, each panel being individually and detachably supported at its ends by adjacent columns. A

3. A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like, which comprises, in combination, a plurality of vertical columns disposed a't intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of sections, a vertical tier of horizontally elongated but relativelynarrow panels in each of said sections, each panel being individually supported at its ends by adjacent columns and means connected with the ends of said panels for rotating said panels from horizontal to vertical positions wherein they are aligned in a vertical plane and vice versa, the vertical Spacing of the panels being approximately equal to the transverse width of a panel, whereby the edges of adjacent panels substantially contact when they are in a vertical plane thus completely closing the closure.

4. A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like, which comprises, in combination, a plurality of vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of sections, a vertical tier of panels in each of said sections, each panel being individually supported at its ends by adjacent columns, vertically elongated recesses at spaced points along the threshold of said opening for receiving said columns to open the closure, and means for raising and lowering said columns from and to positions within said recesse's and across said opening.

5, A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like, which comprises, in combination, a plurality of vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of sections, a vertical tier of panels in each of said sections, each panel being individually supported at its ends by adjacent columns, vertically elongated recesses at spaced points along the threshold of said opening for receiving said columns to open the closure, and means for raising and lowering said columns from and to positions within said recesses and across said opening, columns at the sides of said opening adjacent the jambs thereof and being guided throughout their vertical movement by said jambs.

6. A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like, which comprises, in combination, a plurality of vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of sections, a vertical tier of panels in each of said sections, supported at its ends by adjacent columns, vertically elongated recesses at spaced points along the threshold of said opening for receiving said columns to open the closure, and means for raising and lowering said columns from and to positions within said recesses and across said opening, columns at the-sides of said opening adjacent the lambs thereof and being which comprises, in combination, a plurality of' vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of 8, A closure installation for wide openings in buildings such as aircraft hangars and the like. which comprises, in combination, a plurality of vertical columns disposed at intervals along the width of said opening, the columns thus dividing said opening into a horizontally aligned series of sections, a vertical tier of panels in each of said sections, each panel being individually and detachably supported at its ends by adjacent columns, vertically elongated recesses at spaced points along the threshold of said opening for receiving said columns to open the closure, means for raising and lowering said columns from and to positions within said recesses and across said opening, and means for automatically successively disconnecting the panel ends from the columns as the panels are stopped adjacent the threshold level as the columns descend and for re-attaching the panel ends to the columns as the latter rise.

9. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced elongated supporting memberg, a series of panels disposed between said supporting members, each of said panels being detachably connected at its ends with said members, the means for connecting said panel ends to said members comprising brackets attached to said members at spaced points along their length, and cooperating elements carried by said panel and adapted to interlock with said bmckets, recesses in one wall of said opening for receiving said supporting members when longitudinally retracted, means for retracting and projecting said supporting members, means for successively stopping said panels at said wall of the opening when the members are retracted, means for automatically releasing the interengagement of said panels and said members as the members are retracted and the panels stacked against said wall and for automatically effecting reengagement of said panels and members as the latter are again projected across the opening.

l0. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in com-bination, a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns, rneansfor detachably connecting the ends of said panels with said columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, said means comprising a power actuated cable drum, cables on said drum each guided into a recess and operatively connected with the lower end of one of said columns, whereby said cables may raise and lower the columns.

11. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like,v comprising in combination a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns, means for detachably connecting the ends of said panels with said columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, said means comprising a rack on each oi said columns and a pinion meshing with said rack and rotatable in either direction to raise or lower the columns.

12. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in combination, a pair oi' spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns, means for detachably connecting the ends of said panels with said columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, said means comprising a piston on each oi' said columns and iitting the wall of the associated recess, the bottoms of said recesses being closed, and means for admitting iluld pressure to and exhausting it -from the recesses below said pistons to raise and lower tbe columns.

13. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns, means for detachably connecting the ends of said panels with said columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, a trench provided along said threshold to receive the panels, means for automatically and successively disconnecting said panel ends from the columns as the panels are stopped adjacent the bottom oi.' said trench as the columns are retracted into said recesses and for automatically re-engaging the panel ends with the columns as the latter rise.

14. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns. means for ,detachably connecting the ends oi said panels with the respective columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, a trench provided along said threshold to receive the panels, means for automatically and successively disconnecting said panel ends i'rom the columns as the panels are stopped adjacent the bottom of said trench as the columns are retracted into said recesses, and for automatically re-engaging the panel ends with the columns as the latter rise, the trench being of a depth to exactly accommodate all of the panels, the uppermost panel when the closure is collapsed providing a sill for the opening.

l5. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in combina tion, a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns. means for detachably connecting the ends oi said panels with the respective columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold o! said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, a trench provided along said thresholdI to receive the panels, means for automatically and successively disconnecting said panel ends from the columns as the panels are stopped adjacent the bottom of said trench as the columns are retracted into said recesses, and for automatically re-engaging the panel ends with the columns as the latter rise, the trench being of a depth to exactly accommodate all of the panels, the uppermost panel when the closure is collapsed providing a sill for the opening, and the lowermost panel providing a closure for the trench itself when the main closure is fully extended.

16. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns. means -for detachably connecting the ends of said panels with said columns at spaced points there-- along, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, a trench provided along said threshold to receive the panels, means for automatically and successively disconnecting said panel ends from the columns as the panels are stopped adjacent the bottom of said trench as the columns are retracted into said recesses, and for automatically re-engaging the panel ends with the columns as the latter rise. the lowermost panel providing a closure for the trench itself when the main closure is fully extended, and means for rotating certain of said panels from horizontal to vertical positions and vice versa, said lowermost panel however, being non-rotatable.

1'7. A closure structure for an opening in a building and the like, comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced vertical columns, a vertical tier of panels disposed between said columns, means for detachably connecting the ends of said panels with said columns at spaced points therealong, recesses in the threshold of said opening to receive said columns, means for retracting said columns into and projecting them from said recesses, a trench provided along said threshold to receive the panels, means for automatically and successively disconnecting said panel ends from the columns as the panels are stopped adjacent the bottom of said trench as the columns are retracted into said recesses,

and for automatically re-engagingrthe panel ends with the columns as the latter rise, means for rotating certain of said panels from horizontal to vertical positions, and means for automatically actuating said last named means upon contact of said column with the lintel of said opening.

18. A closure for an opening in a building and the like, wherein a recess is formed in the threshold of said opening; said closure comprising, in combination, a supporting frame adapted to be projected vertically across said opening and to be retracted downwardly into said recess, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a portion of said opening, supporting brackets for said panels carried by said frame at spaced points along its vertical extent, and cooperating elements carried by said panels and respectively adapted to interlock with said brackets, the panels being stripped from said frame as the latter is retracted into said recess downwardly beyond the threshold, and means for automatically releasing the inter-engagement of said interlocking elements as the successive panels are stopped at the threshold, and for automatically re-engaging them as the frame rises and the successive brackets meet their corresponding panels.

19. A closure for an opening in a building and the'like, wherein a recess is formed in the threshold of said opening; said closure comprising, in combination, a supporting frame adapted to be projected vertically across said opening and to be retracted downwardly into said recess, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a portion of said opening, supporting brackets for said panels carried by said frame at spaced points along its vertical extent, and cooperating elements carried by said panels and respectively adapted to interlock with said brackets, the panels being stripped from said frame as the latter is retracted into said recess downwardly beyond the threshold, and means for automatically releasing the interengagement of said interlocking elements as the successive panels are stopped and i stacked at the threshold, and for automatically re-engaging them as the frame rises and the successlve brackets meet their corresponding panels, said automatic means being actuated by the contact and separationof one panel from an adjacent panel during piling and unpiling at the threshold.

20. A closure for an opening in a building and the like, wherein a recess is formed in the threshold of said opening; said closure comprising, in combination, a supporting frame adapted to be projected vertically across said opening and to be retracted downwardly into said recess, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a portion of said opening, supporting brackets for said panels carried by said frame at spaced points along its vertical extent, and cooperating elements carried by said panels and respectively adapted to be projected from said panels and interlock with said brackets, the panels being stripped from said frame as the latter is retracted into recess downwardly beyond the threshold, and means actuated by contact and separation of adjacent panels for automatically projecting the panel carried elements into engagement with the brackets on the associated column and withdrawing them therefrom as the panels are stripped from the columns.

2l. A closure for an openingv in a building and the like, wherein a recess is formed in the threshold of said opening; said closure comprising, in combination, a supporting frame adapted to be projected vertically across said opening and to be retracted downwardly into said recess, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a portion of said opening, supporting brackets for said panels carried by said frame at spaced points along its vertical extent, and a plurality of cooperating elements carried by said panels and respectively adapted to interlock with said brackets, the panels being stripped from said frame as the latter is retracted into said recess downwardly upon the threshold, said brackets each having an upwardly opening socket thereon adapted to receive one of the panel carrying elements to lift the panel from the one next below, a laterally opening socket in said bracket to receive another of said panel carried elements to lock the panel to the bracket, means actuated by the removal of a higher panel of the stack for projecting the rst named lifting elements and means actuated by the lifting of the instant panel from the one below for projecting the second named locking element.

22. A closure for an opening in a building and the like, wherein a recess is formed in the thresh- 'be retracted downwardly into said recess, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a portion of said opening, supporting brackets for said panels carried by said frame at spaced points along its vertical extent, and cooperating elements carried by said panels and respectively adapted to interlock with said brackets, the panels being stripped from said frame as the la'tter is retracted into said recess downwardly upon the threshold, said brackets each having an upwardly opening socket thereon adapted to receive one of the projected panel carrying elements to lift the panel from the one next below, a laterally opening socket in said bracket to receive another of said panel carried elements to lock the panel to the bracket, means actuated by the removal of a higher panel of the stack for projecting the rst named lifting elements and means actuated by the lifting of the instant panel from the one below for projecting the second named locking element and means for rotating said brackets on the columns to swing the panels from the hori zontal to aligned positions in a common vertical plane.

23. A closure for an opening in a buildingand the like, wherein a recess is formed in the threshold of said opening; said closure comprising, in combination, a supporting frame adapted to be projected vertically across said opening and to be retracted downwardly into said recess, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a said panels carried by said frame at spaced pointsI along its vertical extent, and cooperating elements carried by said panels and respectively adapted to interlock with said brackets, the panels being stripped from said frame as the latter is retracted into said recess downwardly beyond the threshold, said brackets having an upwardly opening socket thereon adapted to receive one of the projected panel carrying elements to lift the panel from the one next below, a laterally opening socket in said bracket to receive one oi said panel carried elements to lock the panel to the bracket, toggle means actuated by the removal of a higher panel of the stack for projecting the first named lifting elements and toggle means actuated by the lifting of the instant panel from the one b elow for projecting the second named locking element.

24. A closure for an opening providing access to a building such as an aircraft hangar and the like, which comprises, in combination, a supporting frame adapted to be projected vertically across said opening and to be retracted downwardly beyond the threshold of said opening, a plurality of superposed panels adapted to be carried by said frame and to extend across at least a portion of said opening, means for automatically releasing the interengagement of said panels with said frame as the frame descends beyond the threshold and for automatically re-engaging them as the frame rises, stationary guide members for said frame xed adjacent the threshold of said opening, said guide members each comprising a bracket adapted to embrace a portion of said frame and provided with inserts of porous material impregnated with a lubricant at points of contact with said frame member.

CHARLES MACKINTOSH. 

